[Athen] Braille embosser and Tactile Graphs

[Matthew Horspool via athen-list]

Hi Geraldine and Andrea,
Yes, an acoustic cabinet would definitely help with the noise. The Juliet 120 will fit in the Index Acoustic Cabinet or the Index Basic Acoustic Hood, if they still sell that. (Note though that it will not fit in the Index Everest Acoustic Hood.)
RE the PIAF, I agree that it is great for graphics. It is virtually noiseless, the tactile resolution is excellent and because the graphics are originally drawn in ink, they are easy to create visually and they look good too.
It is notoriously difficult to get consistently good braille dots on PIAF paper though. The dots are generally OK for labels, but they would be taxing on the fingers for anything longer than a few words.
Note also that PIAF paper is extremely expensive compared with ordinary braille paper, and the time taken to print and then swell the pages is slower than an embosser, so for producing text-based material, it would not be economical in terms of either time or cost of materials. Even factoring in the high cost of an embosser and an acoustic cabinet, it would not take long for this to be cheaper than replenishing your stock of PIAF paper.
I'm not saying this to put a downer on PIAF, as it really is a good system and in fact many braille production centres have both a PIAF system for graphics and an embosser for text, but if you only have budget for one piece of kit, I think an embosser would be a better purchase.
Best wishes,
Matthew

From: Andrea L. Dietrich <adietrich at cornell.edu>
Sent: 20 January 2026 16:36
To: Geraldine Mendiola <gmendiola at jsu.edu>; Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>; Matthew Horspool <mhorspool at live.co.uk>
Subject: RE: Braille embosser and Tactile Graphs

If noise is a specific concern you might want to look into the PIAF https://store.humanware.com/hus/piaf-picture-in-a-flash-tactile-graphic-maker.html or similar embossers. They work by printing graphics on special heat-sensitive paper using a regular laser or inkjet printer, and then you run that paper through the heat embosser and the heat raises the lines of anything printed with black ink. If you will be primarily providing graphics rather than braille text it might be a good alternative, and the embosser is silent.

Andrea Dietrich
She / Her / Hers
Accessible Media Specialist

Student Disability Services | Student and Campus Life
The Ceriale Center for Cornell Health
110 Ho Plaza
Ithaca, NY 14853-3101
sds.cornell.edu

From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu>> On Behalf Of Geraldine Mendiola via athen-list
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 10:25 AM
To: Matthew Horspool <mhorspool at live.co.uk<mailto:mhorspool at live.co.uk>>; Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Braille embosser and Tactile Graphs

Good morning,

Thank you for this information. It is very helpful and greatly appreciated. How about an acoustic cabinet? Would that keep the noise level at a minimum?


Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information.



Thank you,



Geraldine Mendiola, MSIT

Coordinator, Testing Services
Disability Resources

Student Success Center
Houston Cole Library, Ground Floor, Room B22

Jacksonville State University

P: 256-782-8378 (256-782-TEST) | F: 256-782-8383

The Friendliest Campus in the South

WWW.JSU.EDU<http://www.jsu.edu/>


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From: Matthew Horspool <mhorspool at live.co.uk<mailto:mhorspool at live.co.uk>>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2026 6:07 AM
To: Geraldine Mendiola <gmendiola at jsu.edu<mailto:gmendiola at jsu.edu>>; Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: RE: Braille embosser and Tactile Graphs

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Hi Geraldine,

I agree with David that more information would be ideal.

However, as a generic finger in the wind, I would say that the Juliet 120 is a very good bet. It is sold by HumanWare and is virtually identical to the Index Basic D V5.

My particular reason for recommending it is that it comes with a free license of Tactile View, which is usually a few hundred dollars in its own right, so it is good value for money compared to the Index and there is no loss of features.

It takes tractor fed paper and is quite noisy, but the embossing speed is generous, the dot quality is good and it can do graphics as well as text.

Admittedly, the embossers from ViewPlus do tend to produce better quality graphics than the Romeo/Juliet/Index range, but they are more expensive and the braille dots are not as good, and the graphics on the Juliet etc are still perfectly serviceable.

HTH,

Matthew



From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu>> On Behalf Of Geraldine Mendiola via athen-list
Sent: 15 January 2026 15:43
To: athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] Braille embosser and Tactile Graphs



Good  morning,



I am seeking information on a Braille embosser and a tactile graphics machine to better support our students. We have two students who will need these resources this semester.

Currently, we have one embosser, but it is very old and no longer operable. Any guidance or assistance in obtaining or repairing these devices would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information.



Thank you,



Geraldine Mendiola, MSIT

Coordinator, Testing Services
Disability Resources

Student Success Center
Houston Cole Library, Ground Floor, Room B22

Jacksonville State University

P: 256-782-8378 (256-782-TEST) | F: 256-782-8383

The Friendliest Campus in the South

WWW.JSU.EDU<http://www.jsu.edu/>



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CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

This message and any attached documents contain information that may be confidential, subject to privilege, or exempt from disclosure under applicable state or federal law. These materials are intended solely for the use of Testing Services, the Office of Disability Resources, and the intended recipient(s). If you are not an intended recipient of this transmission or their authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any distribution, disclosure, printing, copying, storage, modification, or the taking of any action in reliance upon this transmission is strictly prohibited. Delivery of this message to any person other than the intended recipient shall not compromise or waive such confidentiality, privilege, or exemption from disclosure as to this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by reply email or by calling (256) 782-8378, permanently delete the message from your system and destroy any copies. Misuse or unauthorized distribution of this communication or republication of its contents may violate the law and subject a person doing so to legal liability. Thank you.
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